Kalin Pierce serves as a Youth Intake Specialist/Life Coach and Grant Writer at H.W.A.M.

Why do you feel called to serve at H.W.A.M.?
When I graduated from high school and moved up north to go to Oregon State University, God opened the door for me to work at a non-profit. In total I spent almost 5 years with this non-profit, pursuing a career with them even after college. God opened my heart to at-risk youth during these 5 years and I felt that I was really living His purpose for my life. When the door closed with that non-profit, I moved back to Southern Oregon to pursue my Master’s Degree at S.O.U. I was having coffee with a previous English teacher and mentor of mine, and she mentioned H.W.A.M. to me. I had heard a bit about her journey with the organization through our communication in recent years. A few weeks later I met with the Executive Director and we talked about both of our journies. When I left, I knew that God’s hand was in H.W.A.M. and I prayed, asking to be a part of it.
I feel that my previous experience has led me to H.W.A.M. to serve, as well as God having a plan and purpose for each of us. I feel called because He has provided me with the experience and heart that can love, pray for and encourage youth. I also feel that H.W.A.M isn’t just a place for youth to have community, but also for it's staff. I am blessed to have the opportunity to spend my time at Hearts With A Mission.

What is your role at the H.W.A.M.?
I am a Grant Writer for H.W.A.M. as well as a Youth Intake Specialist/Life Coach. I feel that my role at H.W.A.M. is to love on the youth that come to our doors, to offer an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on and a loud voice to cheer them on in their pursuit of a better life.

What are your favorite things about working at H.W.A.M.?
I look forward to coming in to smiling faces every time I walk into the doors of the shlter. I love that there is always something going on, whether it’s everyone making dinner or getting ready to run an errand.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
One of my favorite things to do in my free time is to go to concerts with friends. Music is a passion of mine, I love to sing and goof around on the guitar a bit.

What is one funny thing about yourself?
I enjoy making a fool of myself to make the youth we work with laugh. I use ridiculous phrases like, “Check up from the neck up,” to make them laugh when they may be heated about something, or even to just get a smile out of them if they’ve had a bad day.

Hometown: Gold Hill, Oregon
Studied at Oregon State University, B.S. in English and studying at Southern Oregon University, Master of Arts